Lambda (uppercase Λ, lowercase λ; Greek: Λάμβδα or Λάμδα, Lamda) is the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 30. It is related to the Phoenician letterLamed. Letters that arose from Lambda include the RomanL and the Cyrillic letter El (Л, л). The ancient Grammarians and dramatists attest to a pronunciation of [laːbdaː] (λάβδα) in classical times.[1] In Modern Greek the name of the letter, Λάμδα, is pronounced [lamða]; the letter itself is pronounced [l] as with Latin L.

In early Greek alphabets, the shape and orientation of lambda varied.[2] Most variants consisted of two straight strokes, one longer than the other, connected at their ends. The angle might be in the upper left, lower left ("Western" alphabets), or top ("Eastern" alphabets). Other variants had a vertical line with a horizontal or sloped stroke running to the right. With the general adoption of the Ionic alphabet, Greek settled on an angle at the top; the Romans, borrowing from Western alphabets, put the angle at the lower left.

A symbol of the LGBT community, popular in the 1970s and 1980s standing for liberation and unity.[4]

In naming in the United States, sometimes coupled after the letter A to idiosyncratically refer to the given name Amanda[citation needed].

In Volvo cars it is used to represent engine, fuel, or ignition system fault.

In the Half-Life series of computer games, the 'a' in the title is replaced by the lower case lambda symbol. In these games, the λ symbol appears on several characters and in graffiti, and as a logo for The Resistance. The lambda was chosen for use in this series because it is used to describe the rate of exponential decay as a half-life.[citation needed].

The Lambda is a recurring symbol in the popular computer game series, Half Life.

Lambda is occasionally used in graphic design to represent stylized As. Examples include the Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire, the logo of the band Angels & Airwaves, the logo of the band Dream Theater, and the logo of electronics company Samsung. Conversely, the name of the band Λucifer (pronounced lucifer) is sometimes spelt Aucifer.

A capital Lambda

Stargate SG-1 uses a modified upper-case lambda, with a small circle above the apex, to indicate Earth. This symbol has since become associated with the entire franchise.

In the book Otherland, Lambda is used to describe a huge Virtual Reality area of the Net known as the Lambda Mall which contains every shop on the net.

As a bonus following the conclusion of the X-DAY manga, by Mizushiro Setona, the second book features a short tale entitled "The Last Supper." Its protagonist is a cow, genetically modified to have more human features, Lambda 26. The lambda character is tattooed on the outside of his right forearm.

LAMBDA is the name of an international calibre music and fine arts school located in Pierrefonds of Montreal (Quebec, Canada) run by a team of concert artists. This school uses the name LAMBDA because in the arts, people are connected by the wavelength of sound (as in music) and the wavelength of light (colors in painting). LAMBDA is also the acronym for Learning of the Arts through the Mind and Body in the Discovery of Aesthetics (LAMBDA).

In the video game Tales of Graces, Lambda is the primary antagonist of the game, residing within Richard and eventually becoming Lambda Angelus.

Lambda is the name given to members of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Incorporated. Lambda Theta Phi is the first National Latino Fraternity in the United States, founded in 1975 in Kean College, Union New Jersey (now Kean University). Lambda1975.Org

See also

Lambda is the name given to members of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Incorporated. Lambda Theta Phi is the first National Latino Fraternity in the United States, founded in 1975 in Kean College, Union, New Jersey (now Kean University). Lambda1975.Org

Lambda Ladies is the nick-name given to members of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorrority Incorporated. Lambda Theta Alpha is the first National Latina Sorrority in the United States, founded in Kean College, Union New Jersey (now Kean University). Lambdalady.Org